UK Biobank is to scale its health database following a 拢32 million injection of funding.
The database of in-depth genetic, health and lifestyle information from half a million UK volunteers gives approved researchers worldwide access to a source of data that is enabling medical breakthroughs from treating cardiac disease to Alzheimer’s.聽
Former CEO and chairman of Google Eric Schmidt, and Ken Griffin, founder and CEO of Citadel and founder of Griffin Catalyst, are the first members of a new consortium which will shape the organisation after donating more than 拢16m between them.
Matched by the government, the funding will seek to enable research unlocking the next great leaps in our understanding of health and disease.聽聽
This could include using AI鈥檚 ability to rapidly analyse vast quantities of data to draw new insights from UK Biobank鈥檚 data, such as in the analysis of cancer samples.聽
UK Biobank has supported ground-breaking advancements in healthcare, such as the development of a genetic test to detect people born with an increased risk of coronary heart disease. During COVID, its data helped researchers deepen their understanding of how lifestyle and inherited factors impacted how patients were affected by the pandemic.
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“It is 15 years since we first saw our incredible half a million volunteers for their baseline assessments, with most of our participants engaging in follow-up analyses,鈥� said Professor Sir Rory Collins, CEO and principal investigator of UK Biobank.聽
鈥淚t is down to the dedication and altruism of each of our volunteers that we have been able to grow UK Biobank into the world鈥檚 most comprehensive database for scientific and health related research.聽
鈥淲e are immensely grateful for today鈥檚 funding, which will allow us to pilot new projects that will add further depth to our already rich goldmine of data for scientific researchers everywhere.聽
鈥淯K Biobank data has already resulted in over 9,000 peer-reviewed papers, including studies looking into cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer鈥檚, depression, tinnitus and heart disease.聽
鈥淭he research that we are helping to power is generating evidence which is relevant to everyone, from patients and carers to healthcare providers and practitioners everywhere.”
Schmidt said: “Scientific advancements have the potential to bring profound transformations to humanity for generations to come.聽
鈥淚t is vital that we cultivate an environment that fosters and supports revolutionary applications of science and technology, such as UK Biobank, while creating opportunities for further innovation for public benefit.”
The ultimate aim is to achieve at least 拢50m in contributions for UK Biobank. It builds on the 拢154m investment in UK Biobank鈥檚 physical infrastructure, announced as part of the Chancellor鈥檚 拢650 million 鈥楲ife Sci for Growth鈥� warchest, which is supporting their move to a purpose-built new home at Manchester Science Park.